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Utah had a study after it raised its limit from 75 to 80 on portions of I 15. Average speed only increased by 1 MPH. My mom got to drive the highway in Texas where the limit is 85. My dad rode with her and said she only went as fast as about 77 or 78. Normally at home where the limit is 70 she typically does upper 70s to 80. Some mountain roads have limits of 55 but most people know that they simply can't go that fast so they slow down. Every time it rains traffic slows down because they know that conditions just aren't safe enough to go the speed limit. People are remarkably good at self policing themselves when their own lives are at risk. There have been times when I've been in Texas on a 2 lane country road where the limit is 75 that I just haven't felt safe so I slowed down to what I felt was a safe speed. Meanwhile here in GA I'm stuck at 55 on the same quality road (or even better road).
The only road in Texas that has a legal limit of 85 is a toll road, TX 130. In west Texas, parts of I-10 and I-20 have an 80 mph limit.
Location: Lakewood NJ/Murrells Inlet SC/ N. Naples FL/Swainton NJ
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I set the cruise control to 8 miles over the posted limit (for speeds 60 and above). I'd like to be able to legally do 80 on most interstates under acceptable weather conditions. More than that (80) I would not feel comfortable........
The 80 mph rural increase was in 2013, however, Utah did raise their urban Interstate speed limit to 70 mph lase December.
And if not 80 in a rural area it is 75. Unless they raised it since I moved last October (from Moab), I-70 from CO border to the San Rafael Swell was still 75 and going through the Swell it was up and down from 75 to 65 depending on curves or other reasons unknown to man, and then picking back up to 75 until the merger with I-15.
Missouri is up for an increase as well (70-75) hope it makes it through.
Would recommend enforcing laws to increase safety on the interstate. Hands-free telephones, no texting, and staying right except to pass. Start ticketing people RELIGIOUSLY for staying in the left lane, or better yet cameras to enforce highway speed setup by the Highway Patrol...Then people won't have to brake everytime they see law enforcement on the freeway, even when they're going below the posted speed limit...it's ridiculous.
We should all enjoy the freedom of happily passing a LEO at highspeed, and doing so legally w/o worry.
IMHO, the only reason why high speeds are dangerous have nothing to do with the speed, but in how drivers use lanes properly. Two lane highways where idiots get in the passing lane and go the same speed as cars in the right - PASSING LANE. Three lane highways are even worse. Switch lanes to pass, then get back in the slower lane. I hate left lane huggers.
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